China’s gold medal gymnasts aren’t the only ones whose ages are getting a closer look. The investigation into the eligibility of the Chinese women’s team in Beijing has been expanded to include members of the 2000 squad, which won the bronze medal in Sydney.
International gymnastics officials are examining whether Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, in particular, were old enough to compete.
“If we had a look at all the articles that came before, during and after the Games, there were always rumors about the ages of China’s athletes in Sydney,” Andre Gueisbuhler, secretary general of the International Gymnastics Federation, said Wednesday.
“We did not have another choice,” he said. “If we want to remain credible, then we have to look into things.”
No other Chinese teams are being investigated, Gueisbuhler said.
The investigation is ongoing, a month after the Beijing Games ended, and there is no timetable for when it will be finished.
Pens’ Gonchar out indefinitely
PITTSBURGH — Sergei Gonchar will be kept out of the Penguins’ lineup at least through the regular-season opener in two weeks because of a dislocated left shoulder.
Gonchar, who suffered the injury during the first period of Pittsburgh’s preseason opener Saturday, led the reigning Eastern Conference champions in ice time last season and was third on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 53 assists.
Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero said surgery is an option for the 34-year-old defenseman, who is entering his 14th NHL season, but Shero would offer no timetable.
• Defenseman Doug Murray agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks.
• Montreal defenseman Mathieu Carle was carried off the ice on a stretcher after being hit by Detroit’s Tomas Kopecky during an exhibition game.
Carle lost and regained consciousness on the ice after the hit. He was taken to Detroit Medical Center for further testing.
Bobcats sign Landry to offer sheet
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Bobcats signed Houston Rockets restricted free-agent forward Carl Landry to a three-year, $9 million offer sheet.
The Rockets have a week to decide whether to match the offer or lose Landry, who averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 42 games as a rookie last season.
Footnotes.
Buddy Marucci and George Zahringer advanced to the final of the Senior Amateur Championship, winning quarterfinal and semifinal matches at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
• Two-time champion Diane Lang and Toni Wiesner each won two matches at Tulsa Country Club to advance to the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur final.
• New Mexico State guard Jahmar Young pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and assault charges and will avoid jail time if he meets several conditions.
• Zanjero was the morning-line favorite for the $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic, one of five stakes races on Saturday’s card at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.
The Associated Press
